There are numerous criminal justice professional associations and entities which assist law enforcement with policies, standards, analysis, training and education, and technical assistance. This section provides links to Web sites of organizations and entities that are relevant within the criminal justice intelligence community.
American Correctional Association (ACA)
The American Correctional Association (ACA) serves all disciplines within the corrections profession, including professional development, certification, standards, accreditation, networking, consulting, research, publications, technology, and testing. ACA also handles conferences and exhibits in the corrections profession.
American Polygraph Association (APA)
The American Polygraph Association (APA) consists of over 2,500 members dedicated to providing a valid and reliable means to verify the truth and establish the highest standards of moral, ethical, and professional conduct in the polygraph field. APA establishes standards of ethical practices, techniques, instrumentation, research, advanced training, and continuing educational programs.
American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)
The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) is an international association composed of individuals from the United States and Canada actively involved with probation, parole, and community-based corrections. APPA serves, challenges, and empowers members and constituents by educating, communicating, and training; advocating and influencing; acting as a resource and conduit for information, ideas, and support; developing standards and models; and collaborating with other disciplines. All levels of government—including local, state/provincial, legislative, executive, judicial, and federal—are counted among its constituents. Educators, volunteers, and concerned citizens with an interest in criminal and juvenile justice are also among APPA’s members.
American Society of Criminology (ASC)
The American Society of Criminology (ASC) is an international organization concerned with criminology, embracing scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the etiology, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. ASC’s objective is to bring together a multidisciplinary forum fostering criminology study, research, and education. The members include practitioners, academicians, and students in the many fields of criminal justice.
Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Units (LEIU)
Established in 1956 and serving local, state, and regional agencies and organizations, the role of the Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Units (LEIU) is to gather, record, and exchange confidential information concerning organized crime and terrorism not available through regular police channels. LEIU members are law enforcement agencies of general jurisdiction having a criminal intelligence function.
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), was established as an independent accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement membership associations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). CALEA has 21 members selected from law enforcement practitioners and the public and private sectors. The overall purpose of CALEA is to improve delivery of law enforcement service by offering a body of standards developed by law enforcement practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date law enforcement topics. The primary benefits of accreditation include controlled liability insurance costs, administrative improvements, greater accountability from supervisors, and increased governmental and community support.
Federal Bar Association (FBA)
The Federal Bar Association (FBA) provides a wealth of constantly updated information for law students, new practitioners, experienced attorneys, and judges from all over the country. FBA serves as the national representative of the federal legal profession in order to promote the sound administration of justice, enhance professional growth and development of members, promote high standards of professional competence and ethical conduct, promote the welfare of attorneys and judges, provide meaningful service for the welfare and benefit of the members, provide quality education programs to the profession and the public, keep members informed of developments in their respective fields of interest and the affairs of the association, and promote professional and social interaction among members of the federal legal profession.
Florida Crime and Intelligence Analyst Association (FCIAA)
The Florida Crime and Intelligence Analyst Association (FCIAA) shares information about emerging crime trends, critical intelligence information, and educational and training issues. FCIAA provides technical and analytical training, exchanges information and ideas, and establishes a state certification process that will enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism of crime and intelligence analysts.
Florida Gang Investigators Association (FGIA)
The Florida Gang Investigators Association (FGIA) is a nonprofit organization composed of criminal justice professionals who are actively involved in every aspect of gang investigations. The FGIA is involved in fostering the exchange of gang-related intelligence, providing quality training, creating public awareness, and tracking legislative issues related to the battle to eradicate gangs and gang activity in Florida.
Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global)
The Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global) aims to develop and implement a standards-based electronic information exchange capability, providing the justice community with timely, accurate, complete, and accessible information in a secure and trusted environment. Global operates under the auspices of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice. Global advises the federal government, specifically through the Assistant Attorney General, OJP, and the U.S. Attorney General, on justice information sharing and integration initiatives. Global is a "group of groups," representing more than 30 independent organizations, spanning the spectrum of law enforcement, judicial, correctional, and related bodies. Member organizations participate in Global out of shared responsibility and shared belief that, together, they can bring about positive change in interorganizational communication and data sharing.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA)
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program is a federally funded program that coordinates drug control efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. HIDTA was created in designated areas that exhibit serious drug trafficking problems and harmfully impact other areas of the country. The program provides agencies with management, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its consequences. There are 28 HIDTA areas. HIDTA-designated counties are in most states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA)
The High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) encourages, promotes, aids, and affects the voluntary interchange of data, information, experience, ideas, and knowledge regarding methods, processes, and techniques of investigations and security in advanced technologies for its members.
International Association for the Study of Organized Crime (IASOC)
The International Association for the Study of Organized Crime (IASOC), founded in 1984, is a professional association of criminologists, researchers, working professionals, teachers, and students. IASOC works to promote greater understanding and research about organized crime in all its manifestations.
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
The goals of the IACP are to advance the science and art of services; to develop, disseminate, and promote improved practices; to foster cooperation, exchange of information, and experience among police administrators; to provide recruitment and training; and to encourage adherence by police officers to high professional standards of performance and conduct. IACP has over 19,000 members in over 89 different countries. IACP’s leadership consists of the operating chief executives of local, state, federal, and international agencies of all sizes.
International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA)
The International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) helps crime analysts around the world improve their skills and make valuable contacts to help law enforcement agencies make the best use of crime analysis and to advocate for standards of performance and technique within the profession itself. Members include crime analysts, intelligence analysts, police officers, educators, and students from over 30 countries.
International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI)
The International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) provides information about how financial fraud, fraud investigation, and fraud prevention methods can be collected, exchanged, and taught for the financial payment industry and global society. IAFCI has members from across the world in every major continent. The membership is about one-third law enforcement, one-third banking, and one-third retail and service members.
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) provides leadership to career and volunteer chiefs and chief fire officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services, and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities. Established in 1873, IAFC is a network of more than 12,000 chief fire and emergency officers. The members are experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation.
International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA)
The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) aims to enhance the general understanding of the role of intelligence analysis, encourage the recognition of intelligence analysis as a professional endeavor, develop international qualification and competence standards, reinforce professional concepts, devise training standards and curricula, furnish advisory and related services on intelligence analysis matters, conduct analytic-related research studies, and provide the ability to disseminate information regarding analytical techniques and methods. Members include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, the United States, and Wales.
International Association of Law Enforcement Planners (IALEP)
The International Association of Law Enforcement Planners (IALEP) consists of people working in the area of planning and research for criminal justice agencies. IALEP shares information about the latest innovations, issues, problems, and solutions confronting criminal justice today. IALEP serves as a forum to exchange ideas, programs, techniques, and policies. It also sponsors a standard- and advanced-level certification program for planners. IALEP has nearly 1,000 members from around the world. Members are from Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Kuwait, Panama, the Philippines, Slovakia, South Africa, and the United States.
Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA)
The Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) comprises the organization of state Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) directors, researchers, and practitioners throughout government, academia, and criminal justice organizations. JRSA provides access to current information on state criminal justice research, programs, publications, and training in the latest computer technologies for records management, data analysis, the Internet, and forecasting, as well as reports on the latest research being conducted by state and federal agencies.
National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) fosters interstate cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, conducts policy research and analysis of issues, and facilitates communication between the states’ chief legal officers and all levels of government. NAAG’s members are the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Attorney General is an honorary member.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), founded in 1975, provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on pressing state issues. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths, and its territories. NCSL is governed by a 60-member executive committee, composed of legislators and legislative staff members, who are elected annually. Seven officers direct the overall work of the conference.
National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) exists to promote the development of effective and efficient justice systems in local, state, and tribal government that enhance public safety; prevent and reduce the harmful effects of criminal and delinquent behavior on victims, individuals, and communities; and adjudicate defendants and sanction offenders fairly and justly. NCJA’s members represent all facets of the criminal and juvenile justice community, including law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, victim-witness services, and educational institutions to local, state, and federal elected officials.
National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) provides information on tips, scams, and statistics on fraud, including telemarketing, elder, Internet, and business scams. NFIC also provides news articles from the National Consumers League.
National Gang Center™ (NGC)
The National Gang Center (NGC) assists policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in their efforts to reduce youth gang involvement and crime by contributing information, resources, practical tools, and expertise toward the development and implementation of effective gang prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies. NGC also conducts assessments of the scope and characteristics of youth gang activity, develops resources, and provides training and technical assistance in support of community-based prevention, intervention, and suppression efforts.
National Institute of Corrections (NIC)
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. The director of NIC is appointed by the U.S. Attorney General. NIC provides training, technical assistance, information services, and policy/program development assistance to local, state, and federal corrections agencies. Services are designed to help corrections professionals meet the challenges of the corrections environment.
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) provides resources, technical assistance, opportunities for professional development, information, congressional advocacy, and valuable opportunities for networking and interacting with fellow criminal justice professionals to sheriffs and other criminal justice practitioners.
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
As a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, the COPS Office advances community policing in jurisdictions of all sizes across the country. COPS provides grants to local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test policing strategies. COPS-funded training helps advance community policing at all levels of law enforcement. Because community policing is by definition inclusive, COPS training also reaches local and state government leaders and the citizens they serve.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug control program. The ONDCP also aims to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking; drug-related crime and violence; and drug-related health consequences.
Regional Information Sharing Systems® (RISS)
The Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program is a law enforcement program that receives federal funding to support regional law enforcement efforts to combat terrorist activity, illegal drug trafficking, organized criminal activity, criminal gangs, violent crime, and other regional criminal priorities and to promote officer safety. On national-scope issues, the six regional centers—MAGLOCLEN, MOCIC, NESPIN, RMIN, ROCIC, and WSIN—initiate joint, cross-center efforts, coordinating and cooperating as one body.
SEARCH
SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, is a nonprofit membership organization that provides assistance to justice, public safety, first responder, and homeland security practitioners with their information sharing initiatives. SEARCH provides technical assistance, resources, and models to improve the exchange of information among state, local, and tribal law enforcement and public safety; fusion centers; and federal partners to keep communities safe. The organization addresses timely justice, public safety, and first responder information management laws, policies, and procedures as issues and events shape and change the justice and public safety landscape. SEARCH provides tailored assistance that helps jurisdictions plan for, procure, upgrade, implement, and manage information technology to prepare police, fire, and emergency medical service agencies for successful information sharing and communications during criminal events, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks and teaches high-tech investigators the skills they need to stay ahead of criminals in the fight against crime.